New Delhi: Former civil aviation minister Praful Patel on Saturday
threatened to file a criminal defamation case against former CAG Vinod
Rai for claiming that he had 'nudged' Air India to go for large-scale
purchase of aircraft, forcing the national carrier to fly into virtual
bankruptcy.
"I am saddened that he (Rai) has made an unsubstantiated allegation ... I am going to file a criminal defamation case against rai next week," Patel told Times Now, denying having sent any official to 'nudge' the then CAG as claimed by the former auditor.
"On what basis did he even think of using the word nudge? All charges are based on conjecture and not on facts ... He (Rai) may be doing this for publicity," said the NCP leader, claiming that 15 of the 68 planes were ordered after the EGoM cleared it.
Justifying the Air India board's decision to buy the planes, the former minister said it was based on a 15-year plan for the national carrier. He said the decision was based on elaborate discussions and despite him leaving the ministry, his successor went ahead with the purchases.
Read news in full 14/09/14 Times of India
"I am saddened that he (Rai) has made an unsubstantiated allegation ... I am going to file a criminal defamation case against rai next week," Patel told Times Now, denying having sent any official to 'nudge' the then CAG as claimed by the former auditor.
"On what basis did he even think of using the word nudge? All charges are based on conjecture and not on facts ... He (Rai) may be doing this for publicity," said the NCP leader, claiming that 15 of the 68 planes were ordered after the EGoM cleared it.
Justifying the Air India board's decision to buy the planes, the former minister said it was based on a 15-year plan for the national carrier. He said the decision was based on elaborate discussions and despite him leaving the ministry, his successor went ahead with the purchases.
Read news in full 14/09/14 Times of India
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